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Minority Kids Less Likely to Be Diagnosed, Treated for ADHD: Study

Minority Kids Less Likely to Be Diagnosed, Treated for ADHD: Study

06/24/13

MONDAY, June 24 (HealthDay News) -- Minority children are
significantly less likely than their white peers to be diagnosed or
treated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), new
research shows.

The study, which is published online June 24 and in the July
print issue of the journal
Pediatrics, followed more than 17,000 children across the
nation from kindergarten to eighth grade. Researchers regularly
asked parents if their children had been diagnosed with ADHD.

Even after taking into account a host of factors that may
influence behavior, attention and access to health care,
researchers found that Hispanic and Asian children and those of
other races were about half as likely to receive a diagnosis as
whites. Blacks were about two-thirds less likely to be recognized
as having problems with attention or hyperactivity as whites.

In addition, when minority children were diagnosed, they were
less likely to receive medication than white kids with ADHD, the
investigators found.

The study can't say, however, whether the differences mean that
ADHD is being underdiagnosed in minorities or overdiagnosed in
whites. Previous research has raised both possibilities.

A study published in the journal
Clinical Psychology Reviewin 2009, for example, found that
despite having more symptoms of distractibility and hyperactivity,
black children were diagnosed with ADHD less often than whites.

On the other hand, a study published in April 2012 in the
Canadian Medical Association Journalfound that the youngest
children in their school class were more likely to be diagnosed
compared to the oldest children in those grades, suggesting that
some doctors and teachers may mistake immaturity for ADHD, leading
to overdiagnosis.

One expert suggested that socioeconomic and cultural differences
may be at work.

Doctors still don't know if one or both problems may be driving
the rates of lower diagnoses in minorities seen in the current
study, said Dr. Tanya Froehlich, a pediatrician at Cincinnati
Children's Hospital in Ohio.

"It does seem to be clear that there are some cultural differences at work, and also probably some differences in access to health care and access to health care information," said Froehlich, who was not involved in the research.

For example, the study noted that children without health
insurance were less likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children
who had coverage. Kids from lower-income families were also less
likely to be diagnosed.

Yet, children with older mothers, who tend to be more highly
educated, and those with parents who spoke to doctors in English
were more likely to be diagnosed with the condition. Both those
factors are signs that access to health care and awareness of the
problem may also be playing a role.

Several risk factors for ADHD occur more often in minority
children than in whites. Those include a lower household income,
less educated parents and low birth weight.

"What that suggests in our study is that there are children who are likely deserving of a diagnosis, but who aren't receiving a diagnosis, which raises the question of a lack of treatment," said study author Paul Morgan, director of the educational risk initiative at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pa.

The consequences of ADHD can be serious if the condition is left
untreated.

"We know that people with ADHD have higher rates of failing a grade in school, lower academic achievement, lower achievement in their jobs, higher rates of incarceration, higher rates of substance abuse, more problems with relationships, and higher rates of depression and anxiety," Froehlich said. "It is extensive."

There's some evidence that treatment, either with behavioral
therapies or medication, can improve the outlook for affected
children.

"Definitely, we want all kids to be treated and to have the best chance possible for success in life," Froehlich said. "So if people truly have ADHD and they're not identified, that's going to hold them back."

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.